Town Square

'Steve Jobs changed the whole world'

Original post made
on Oct 6, 2011

As word of Steve Jobs' death Wednesday swiftly spread -- via iPhones and other technology the Apple co-founder had pioneered -- local residents of all ages made their way to his Old Palo Alto home and the Apple store on University Avenue to pay tribute to a man they said had irrevocably changed their lives.

Posted by Jonathan Lustig
a resident of Stanford
on Oct 6, 2011 at 5:04 pm

Because of his passion and determination he was able to change the world for the better. His legacy will never be forgotten. I am sure he will continue doing momentous things on the otherside. Steve Jobs will always remain a true hero.

Posted by Rob Browne
a resident of another community
on Oct 7, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Such a loss to his family, Apple and the world! He had such an incredible impact on our modern world, across so many disciplines. I would like to do a sculpture honoring Steve Jobs and welcome suggestions.

Posted by Rob Browne
a resident of another community
on Oct 8, 2011 at 12:40 am

Sharon and Not Believer -
I don't really know about Steve Jobs' role as a family man nor do I know his record of philanthropy. Many significant figures in history were flawed. (Even I am flawed!) The sculpture is to honor his accomplishments and worldwide impact on today's technology in terms of art, business and entertainment.

Observer -
I like your sense of humor and wouldn't mind doing that sculpture as well. (FYI: I have a Blackberry.)
Rob

Posted by Mort Blort
a resident of another community
on Oct 8, 2011 at 11:17 am

Hrm ... looking in on this from afar, it strikes me that there are some whose disaffection is so great that they can't allow the rest of us a simple period of profound respect. Steve Jobs touched so many in such a positive way. How? With the ultimate humility of producing products of quality. Sure, he drove his employees hard, and his style sometimes went beyond demanding. But that's because he cared like too few do about the people on the other end of the transaction. Sometimes Apple gets it wrong, like all of us, they make mistakes. But what distinguishes them is that they try really damned hard to get things right. And to me, that's a sign of respect for their customers that all good capitalists should learn from.

Whatever Jobs did to make you angry, leave it alone. Let it die. Let it be. Rest in peace.

ps. To questions of Jobs as a philanthropist ... I know Jobs did not subscribe to my faith. But my faith teaches me that one does not take credit for things done in this life. Among other things, that would be down to taking credit publicly for philanthropic activity. Matt 6:1-20 says to not make outward display of humility or generosity, but to do so in private. I've gone in and out of being a Christian in my life, but I've never doubted the essential universal truth of what that particular prophet was getting at there. Give quietly, and take satisfaction quietly. Giving loudly is to take a reward; the action becomes less about giving and more about showing off. Which was the point at the Last Supper.

Posted by Hmmm
a resident of East Palo Alto
on Oct 17, 2011 at 12:39 pm

I agree w/svatoid. I'm not a huge Steve fan, for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't blind me to reality. Sharon wants to spin reality because he was a Demo. She even snarked about him on the style thread here at Town Square - talk about petty!

Besides, Jobs's wife founded a nonprofit w/several locations in the area which makes an incredible difference in peoples' lives. She didn't do it all on money she made prior to their marriage, ergo, he contributed. Also, he was a businessman, not a scientific researcher, MD, etc. We can be aware of the facts of his life that are public w/out tearing the man down publicly.

Posted by Emily Grant-Gould
a resident of Duveneck/St. Francis
on Oct 17, 2011 at 6:28 pm

Laurene,
I would love to help clean and wash all of the apples left behind and make you canned applesauce for your family to share for years, or for a charity the family holds close to their heart. If you please, send me an email, it's my name @ my hyphenated last name.com.